St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-06-19
HOW TO WIN ATPOKER.

through the charm of her influence.
HOW TO WIN AT POKER.
To the Editor of the Globe:
am young man, who, having my even
1ngs to myself, occasionally indulge in game
of poker. Though the stakes are not very large
invariably lose. Surprising the popular i'm
preston to the effect that editors are omnis-
Gent to be correct,I would like you to inform
me how to win at poker, and oblige
GREAT EXPECTATIONS.
Our young friend has set us difficult
task. Though The editorial knowledge
which he is kindly pleased to consider
so comprehensive can hardly be taken
as having an expert value in regard to
the intricate subject of poker playing,
we have been to the trouble of looking
up the subject for his benefit, and after
consultation with several proficient
professors of the art Of poker playing
as we'll as consultation of the standard
authorities on the subject, we may per-
hapS be able to give him some enlight-
eminent. We presume our correspond
ent refers to that branch of the science
commonly called draw poker, as that, we
learn, is the department of pokerial
knowledge most Extensively studied. In
the first place our friend having seated
himself at the poker table with con-
genial company of friends, and having
exchanged his good red gold or its
equivalent for corresponding number
OF chips of assorted colorS and values
should make sure that it is leash
fol- flrla
lated to discourage an ambitious poker
player and to decrease his chances of
winning as to discover at the close of the
game and after he has come out of the
contest with sum nOminally to his
credit with the banker to receive fair
promises in exchange for his winnings.
Starting out, then, with the supposition
that he esehews all but cash games, let
us see the course of procedure he should
follow. First of all he should not ''go
in" the best authorities agree in saying,
unless he has 'tgot 'em." That is to say
unless his cards are of encourag
ing value he should refrain from
the contest until they become
so. We learn that undue confidence is
ones luck or in the ability to "draw"
well is one of the most certain obsta-
cles to winning and has an amazing
tendency toward causing a beautiful
stock of chips to melt away. Then
again having a pretty fair hand the
player should by every diplomatic de-
vice possible endeavor to play kind Of
confidence game on his opponents by
creating the impression that his hand is
really stronger than it is. This will re-
quire courage, audacity and a certain
inpaSSiveneSS of cOuntenance. If well
done his opponents will be apt to fancy
his strength is greater than theirs and
dropping out will allow him to carry off
the spoils. Technically this is called
''bluffing." He should, however, be eX-
tremely careful about inaugurating
bluff having in his hand nothing of
greater value than ''bob-tail t1ush,"
when his opponent possesses three of a
kind. This is also great impeachment
iR the way of winning for sit is
better to bear the losses we
already have than to fly to others we
know not of through being too bold a
bettor. 1t is of course conceivable that
his opponents may themselves observe
all the precautions which our CORES
pondent will keep in mind. In that
case the way for him to win will be to
play only with such persons who are
not as thoroughly versed in the game as
himself, and even then not take part in
the proceedings at the table unless he is
very sure that his is the winning hand.
These observations embody the wisdom
of persons who are known for their pro-
iciency in the national game. But
after an exhaustive study of the sub
Ject for our correspondents benefit, we
believe we can give him rule even
more reliable, one which in fact has
never been known to fail and whose ac-
curacy the experience of thousands has
confirmed. 1t is this: The way
to win at poker is not to play
at all. If our young friend will
observe this maxim he will be sure to he
always ahead of the game. And,
further, if he will permit us to advise
him, he might well spend the evenings
which he fortunately has to himself in
a better way than by trying to
learn the intricacies of poker. Let
him spend them with his sweet
heart, if he has one, and if he hasn't,
and doesn't possess courage or attract
iyeness enough, poor fellow, to secure
one, then let him do little delving in
the golden mine of literature, and, our
word for it, he will be better off in
pocket and mind a hundredfold than if
he chung to the poker table and came
out a sure winner every time.